NEW DELHI: The start of the new year has been about quiet resolve for Anshu Malik. She was sweating it out for five hours at her training centre at Nidani, Haryana, working till late evening as she sharpened her skills on the mat.
The 20-year-old established herself as a formidable wrestler in 57kg last year. She bounced back from an early exit at the Tokyo Olympics to become the first Indian woman to reach a world championships final, claiming silver. If Indian wrestling in 2021 will be remembered for the Olympic medals won by Ravi Dahiya (silver) and Bajrang Punia (bronze), Malik's world silver was also a defining moment.
Malik's rise was astonishing. She won gold at the Asian championships and then blitzed the field in Almaty, Kazakhstan with her relentless attacking style in the continental Olympic qualifiers in April to qualify for Tokyo. The historic world silver followed in October. “I just enjoyed all those moments on the mat. Whenever I win a medal, it is very satisfying," says Malik.
It has been only two weeks since Malik resumed full-fledged training, having recovered from an elbow injury that worsened during the world championships final loss to Olympic bronze medallist Helen Maroulis of the USA. She has set her targets for the busy upcoming season. Malik wants a foreign coach in her corner. Following the federation's nod, she has begun the hunt. She is focused on winning medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. "I have spoken to the federation that I want a foreign coach and they have given me the go ahead. I want to finalise a coach by the start of February. I feel a foreign coach can fine tune my game and bring a scientific approach to my training," says Malik.
This story is from the January 03, 2022 edition of Hindustan Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 03, 2022 edition of Hindustan Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Palestinian PM Resigns Citing 'New Reality' Of War In Gaza
The United States and other powers have called for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take charge of all Palestinian territories after the end of war
Future Perfect: The Kids Are All Right
Gill and Jurel hold out promise by simplifying a challenging chase to help India seal series
Akshay feels 'blessed' to have worked with OG Ramayan cast
Director Akshay K Agarwal shot a music video, Humare Ram Aaye Hai, with the cast of the 1987 TV show, Ramayanactors Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri - in Ayodhya recently.
Musk's firm gets nod for Sat Net; joins Jio, Bharti
Starlink, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been allowed to offer satellite broadband services in India, two officials aware of the development said.
A temple, 169 years in the making
Through decades of design and reworks, hurdles in engineering and construction, HT pieces together how the grandeur of the Ram Temple was reclaimed
'Political interference' forces Vihari to quit Andhra cricket
After Andhra bowed out of the Ranji Trophy at the quarter-final stage with a four-run defeat to Madhya Pradesh in Indore on Monday, senior batter Hanuma Vihari launched a scathing attack on the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), saying he will never turn up for the state again.
Shafali, Kapp lead Capitals to a 9-wicket win over Warriorz
A blazing fifty by Shafali Verma (64₹, 43 balls) helped Delhi Capitals make a mockery of a target of 120 and open their account in the second edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL).
Making 'unbelievable things believable', the Ayhika way
The India No. 7 was an inspired pick for the world team event and she repaid the faith, beating the Chinese world No.1
'Connected TVs to reach 45 mn by 2024-end in India'
With improvement in broadband penetration, Indian households are increasingly opting for connected or addressable TVs.
India chip strategy makes progress as $21 billion in proposals received
The Indian government, after years of watching from the sidelines of the chips race, now has to evaluate $21 billion of semiconductor proposals and divvy up taxpayer support between foreign chipmakers, local champions or some combination of the two.
